2018-19 Serie A preview

The 2017-18 season proved to be one of the most exciting in recent history. Napoli pushed Juventus all the way for the Scudetto, in a titanic tussle which saw both teams crack 90 points.

Behind them, Inter, Roma and Lazio fought all season long for the final two Champions League places, while the race for the Europa League was similarly thrilling. And while Benevento and Verona went early, the final weekend of last season saw five teams all with a mathematic possibility of going down.

It'll be hard for the 2018-19 season to top that, but all the ingredients are in place for another blockbuster calcio season.

There's Parma's rise back to the top flight, Carlo Ancelotti at Napoli, an encouraging summer transfer campaign by Inter and, finally, some stability at Milan.

There are derbies in Turin, Milan, Genoa and Rome, not to mention the Tuscan tussle between Empoli and Fiorentina and Simone Inzaghi's Lazio against Filippo Inzaghi's Bologna.

As if that wasn't enough, there's also the small matter of Cristiano Ronaldo...

Ahead of the new campaign, Football Italia's team of writers explain the ins and outs of all 20 Serie A sides and who to watch out for, before predicting the possible outcomes in what's set to be an exciting season.

ATALANTA

After again qualifying for the Europa League, Elio Salerno assesses whether the Atalanta fairytale can continue. Read more

BOLOGNA

With Filippo Inzaghi in the hot seat, Bologna are looking to finally kick on and become a top half Serie A side. Read more

CAGLIARI

Having narrowly avoided the drop last season, Ciro Di Brita says Cagliari would settle for mediocrity this time around. Read more

CHIEVO

Chievo will be aiming for another comfortable mid-table finish this term, writes Vilizar Yakimov. Read more

EMPOLI

After relegation in 2016-17, Empoli bounced back as Serie B champions - can the Tuscans book an extended stay in the top flight? Read more

FIORENTINA

Can Stefano Pioli guide a budget Fiorentina side into Europe? Chloe Beresford assesses their chances. Read more

FROSINONE

Frosinone return to Serie A, and will look to stay for longer than one season this time around. Read more

GENOA

After a shaky start last season left them in relegation jeopardy, Tom Scholes explains Genoa would be content with a boring mid-table finish. Read more

INTER

The Nerazzurri are back in the Champions League and ready to challenge for honours, says Richard Hall. Read more